Admissions

Transfer Student Profiles

Katherine Quinones

First-generation Texas Woman’s University student Katherine Quinones never saw herself as college material. She struggled in high school and ended up getting her GED before attending North Central Texas College.

“Initially, I was afraid to even apply to TWU,” she says. “I didn’t think I had the qualifications to be considered.”

The TWU application process was easier than Katherine expected. She applied through the TWU website, submitted her official NCTC transcripts, paid her application fee and waited.

“When I received my TWU acceptance letter, I was so relieved and validated,” she says. “For the first time, I felt like college was key to a better future.”

Once at TWU, art professor John Calabrese encouraged Katherine to study art history. Katherine has traveled to Greece for an art history class and has spent a semester abroad at TWU’s Harlaxton College Campus in Grantham, England.

“College is the place to discover yourself, and find out where your passions lie,” Katherine says. “At TWU, I have discovered a passion for art history and world travel.”

Katherine fell in love with the college experience at NCTC, and says that love has only blossomed at TWU.

“I have come to the conclusion that high school and college are completely different,” she says. “Just because you are not successful at one certainly does not mean you will not succeed in the other.”

“My mother always says ‘find your bliss,’ and I am following her advice and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes my way,” she continues. “I never thought I would attend college — until I applied and discovered a world of opportunities.”

Sara Dee wanted to do more than earn a bachelor’s degree when she enrolled at Texas Woman’s University.

The U.S. Army veteran wanted to help other veterans and their families pursue higher education. She founded the TWU Student Veterans Association to offer not only support, but also solidarity, to her fellow veterans.

Dee, who earned her associate’s degree at Tarrant County College, received a great deal of assistance from the TWU Veterans Affairs Center when she enrolled at TWU. She soon discovered that the supportive atmosphere extended to the faculty, staff and other students at the university.

“People were respectful when they found out I was a vet,” Dee said. “The Student Veterans Association got a great response; people wanted to be involved. Some students weren’t even veterans, but they had a heart for what vets do.”

Dee was involved in other activities on campus, including the history honor society and TWU’s nontraditional student organization.

“I enjoyed learning from other students and their experiences,” she said.

Dee earned her bachelor of general studies degree from TWU in summer 2009. She credits TWU with providing the support she needed to reach her goals.

“It’s important for veterans to pursue higher education because education gives you choices,” Dee said. “I encourage vets to come to TWU because being a soldier is about camaraderie, and you can find that here. I know I did.”